Method of and apparatus for making rubber or latex articles



Nov. 30', 1937. ANSPANEL 2,100,571

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING-RUBBER OR LATEX ARTICLES- Original Filed Aug. 10, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR ABRAHAM N. SPARE! ATTORN EY A. N. sPANEL 2,100,571

METHOD OF AND-APPARATUS FOR MAKING RUBBER OR LATEX ARTICLES Nov. 30, 193 7.

Original Filed Aug. 10, 1955 5 sheets sheej 2 INVENTOR ABRAHAMNSPANEL 7 BY IQ I! l' v ATTORNEY A. N. SPANEL 2,100,571

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING RUBBER OR LATEX ARTICLES Nov. '30, 1937.

Original aFiled Aug. 10, 1933 5 Sheets-Shet 3 INVENTOR ABRAHAMJV'. SPAN'EL ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1937. A. N. sPANEL 1 2,100,571

I METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING RUBBER OR LATEX ARTICLES Original Filed Aug. 10, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR I ABRAHAM N. SPANEL &.

ATTORNEY Nov. 30, 1937. A. N. SPANEL 2,100,571

Y METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING RUBBER OR LATEX ARTICLES Original Filed Aug. 10, 1933 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 63 I 7 F 27 MW, 64 1T: Q 4

"l2? 6 -9 IITl jII' 44 51 65 7 Qqmeu'namnq N SPANEL ATTORN EY Patented Nov. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT METHOD OF APPARATUS FOR MAKING- RUBBER R LATEX ARTICLES Abraham N. spahel, Rochester, N. Y. Application August 10, 1933, Serial No. 6844547 Renewed June 18, 1936 7v "1*? if 8 Claims. This invention relates to sanitary pad shields or the like, and to the method of and to appa ratus for making the same.

The usual sanitary pad is formed of a fibrous substance such as cotton or some form of absorbent cellulosic material enclosed in a loosely Woven strip of cloth which is of rathercoarse texture and therefore, tends to chafe the wearer's legs and although such pads arebulky they do not afford complete protection to the garments of the wearer. V

In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a sanitary pad shield is provided which is formed of soft flexible water-proof. material "which prevents the mentioned irritation and which aifords complete protection to the garments of. the wearer even though the thickness of pad and therefore its bulk, is reduced.

A further feature of the invention relatesto forms on which shields may be deposited from a rubber solution. 7

Still another feature of the invention relates to a continuous method for commercially manu pad shields or the like in facturing sanitary large quantities.

These and other features of the invention will appear from the detailed description and claims when taken with the drawings, in which Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of the shield of the present invention applied to a sanitary pad; Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view thereof taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a top View of a sanitary pad shield before it has been applied to a sanitary pad; Figs. 4 and 4A, Figs. 5 and 5A, Figs. 6 and 6A, Figs. '7 and 7A, Figs. 8 and 8A, as well as Figs. 9, 9A and 93 respectively illustrate side and end views of different shapes of forms which may be utilized in manufacturing the shields of this invention; Fig. 10 is a general showing ofqa system in'which the shield; may be made according to a continuous method; Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken generally on the section line I l| l of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11A is an enlarged end'view of' the structure thereof illustrating a form being dipped into the rubber solution while rotating on its horizontal axis; Fig. 12 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the section line l2-l2 of Fig. 10 and Fig. 12A is an enlarged sectional end view of the structure in this figure showing how the ends of the layer orfilm of latex deposited on the rotating forms are parted or trimmed therefrom; Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the section line l3--l3 of Fig. 10

Y and Fig; 13A is a detailed end viewindicating how the form is rotated slowly whil'eit is being while rotating are ring-rolled on the form; Fig.

(Cl. 1841) v advanced through a drying oven; Fig. 14 is' a cross sectional view taken substantially on the section line I l-l4 of Fig. 10 and Fig. 14A is a detailedend View illustrating the manner inwhichthe shield is parted longitudinally for the" major por tion of its length to pro-vide anelongatedopen-= ing therein; Fig. 15 is a cross sectional viewtaken-f substantially on the line; I 5j|5 ofFig..10, which view when taken with the enlarged endview'in 3 Fig. lfiA'illu'strates how the ends er the shield 1 16 is a cross sectional view tak en: subs taintiallyv on the line Iii-l6 of Fig. 10 andFig. 16A,is. a: detailed end viewindicating the manner in which i A the forms with the shields thereon. are rotated} 15 while being progressively advanced through the curing oven; Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken; substantially on the line 11-11 illustrating how 7 the forms with the shields thereon may. be -taken; off from the yokes on the endless chains sothatzo the shield can be removed or stripped fromthe; form; Fig. 18 is a cross sectional View taken substantially on the line l8 l8of Fig.1!) and- Fig.- 18A isan end view thereof illustrating the manner in which the forms after having 7 the shields stripped therefrom are properly cleansed; before}; they are again used in repeating the cycle of operation. 7 e V In Fig. l, 5 designates a sanitary pad madeof absorbent fibrous substance such as cotton orcellulosic material enclosed in a strip ofclothfi; of rather open weave. This figure alsoillustrates g a film-like shield 'lof thepresent invention applied to a sanitary pad with theends of the en-- 7 closing cloth' 6 extending through openings in-' the end of' the shield. This shield which ;is' generally tubular in shape and which is composed of soft flexible water-proof material -preferably formed of dipped rubber or latex orother suit able waterproof substance, has an opening or;40 I slit 8 in one of its walls to expose a portion ofaone, flat surface of the pad,-the ends of this-opening being strengthened against tearing by reinforce-1 ments 9 and ll'l formed as thickened deposits in 1. the material of the body of the shield". "Inzeach of the ends of the shield there iSTDIOVldBdIaIII opening to receive the ends of the cloth strip fi which openings are reinforcedat II and l 2 such as by a thickened edge of. the deposited rubber' figl or by rolling the margin thereof about theseopen-f ings back uponitself to provide a'ring-r'olled re-" if inforcement; It willbeunderstood that the jre; inforcements 9 and I0, forthe ends of thegopem W d nstead the ends 'o'f" 5 ing 8 may be omitted this opening can be reinforced by the reinforcements H and I2.

Although the shield of the present invention is not limited to any particular method of manufacture, it is preferred to make it by dipping a form l3, rotating horizontally on its major axis, into a rubber solution or a water dispersion of rubber commonly known in the art as latex.

This form l3 may be made of glass 'or metal such as aluminum and may be of any one of numerous shapes, a few of which possible shapes are indicated in Figs. 4 to 93 inclusive and Fig. 11. As shown in Figs. 4 and 4A, the form I3 is a cylinder provided on its curved surface with a rib l6 having a relatively sharp edge extending parallel to the major axis of the form, and with depressions I1 and I8 at theends of the rib. A removable axle located at the major axis of the form with its ends projecting therefrom, serves to support the form in a horizontal position while, it is being dipped. On the surface of this form there is indicated a shield l of which the, ends havebeen rolled back upon themselves toprovide ring-rolled reinforcements I! and [2 for the end openings therein. The rib I6 is utilized, as will be hereinafter set forth, in parting the layer of the shield to provide a longi-.

tudinal opening or slit Bin the shield, while the depressions-I1. and I8 serve to collect a thickened portion in the shield layer to provide the reinforcements 9 and H] for the ends of this slit.

"Theform shown in Figs. 5 and 5A, differs from that shown in Figs. 4 and 4A in that the ends thereof are tapered as indicated at l9, which shape provides a shield in which the end openings are materially less in diameter than the diameter of the main portion of the shield. The form shown in Figs. 6 and 6A differs slightly from the form shown in the last two figures, in

thatrin addition to the tapered'portions l9, there is provided end-portions the main surfaces ofwhichare parallel to the majoraxis of the form, so that the end margins may be rolled back easily upon themselves.

Theform illustrated in Figs. '7-and 7A, while generally cylindrical in shape, is generated by rotating the arc 2| of a relatively large circle about an axis. The form shown in Figs. 8 and 8A differs from the form just referred to, in that, in addition to the curved surface-2 l there is provided' at each end of the form, a cylindrical portion 22 of circular cross section and terminating in beveled ends 23.

The form disclosed-- in Figs. 9, 9A and 9B is similar to that disclosed in Figs. 8 and 8A, but differs therefrom in that the main body portion 24 of the form has a shape as indicated in Figs. 9A and 9B; As illustrated in Fig. 9B instead of utilizing one long longitudinal rib [6, two spaced ribs I6 and'l6a are employed so that a strip may be removed from the deposited layer to provide a wider slit 8 in the finished shield.

In the production of theshield in large quantities, however, it is-preferred to effect the various steps of the'method according to the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 10 wherein, as shown indetail in Fig. 11, two spaced endless chains 25 and 26 are provided with a series of yokes 21 and 28 to support the axles I5 of a series of forms I3 in horizontal position therebetween and to advance them progressively in an endless. path. These chains are continuously moved along a pair of endless tracks or guides 29 and 30 mounted on suitable upright parts 75, of the installation such as 3| and 3 2, the chains being driven by suitable pairs of sprockets 33, 34, and 36 which are continuously rotated by any suitable means (not shown). During certain operations occurring in the course of the cycle of making a shield it is necessary to rotate the form [3 on its major axis and for this purpose a gear 44 on the axle l5, on which the form is mounted to move as a unit therewith, engages a stationary toothed rack 45 mounted on or adjacent guide 29 while during other operations of the cycle, the rack 45 is omitted so that the form does not rotate at that time.

With this brief description of the installation, it is believedthat the method will best be understood by describing the various steps involved in making the shields.

At 36 there is indicated a form drying oven through which the forms are advanced after they have been suitably Washed and cleaned as will hereinafter be set forth. From this oven the pair of endlesschains 25 and 26 carrying the forms in, their yokes 21 and 28, move down an inclined portion and then along a horizontal portion of the guides with the gears 44 on the respective forms engaging the rack 45 to rotate them so that a substantial portion of the lower surface of each rotating form at this stage is dipping into a tank 3 'l'containing liquid rubber of which the shield is made (Figs. 11 and 11A). These forms while still rotating continue toprogress through the tank while making several rotations until a layer of the desired thickness of the deposited rubber is formedon the surface thereof. A section of the pair of endless chains.

is now elevated by means of an upwardly inclined portion of the guidesso that the forms carried thereby although they are still rotating. no longer dip into the liquid rubber such as an aqueous dispersion of rubber, commonly known as latex. From this point, the endless chains carry the rotating forms horizontally over a drain board 38 021 which the excess liquid rubber drips from the rolls. It is preferred to protect the liquid rubber from dust particles, and for this purpose a glass cover 39 is provided for the tank and the drain board compartment.

Inthe endless method here outlined, it is preferred at this point in the advance of the endless chains 25 and '26, after the layer of film is deposited or partly dried, to squeeze off or trim away theexcess rubber at the ends of the form and for this purpose, as best shown in Figs. 12 and 12A, suitable rotating rubber rolls 40 engage the sharp parting ridge 4|. at each end of the form. It will be understood that the rubber rolls 40 are mounted on a shaft 42 which is rotated continuously by pulley 80 from a source of power (not shown). Gear 43 secured to shaft 42 in turn drives the gear 44 mounted on the removable axle l5 of each form H in succession so that not only the rolls 40 but also the form in operative relation thereto, are rotated. Since it is necessary to keep the periphery of the rubber roll 40: clean, a pair of rotating brushes 46 engage the surfaces of these rubber rolls to brush away any adhering particles of rubber. These brushes are mounted on a shaft 41 driven bya gear 48 which meshes with the rotating gear 43.

1 As the pair of chains continue to advance the forms from the end trimming or end parting stage, the gear 44 is no longer in engagement with rack so that the counterweight 49 attached to the axle swings to its lowest position as shown in Figs. 13 and 13A, thereby rotating therform until ;the sharp longitudinal; Fridge? 16: thereon is, inits-uppermostaposition. r At-: this stage in the operationsgone :.Wall ;of the shield isjslitiorparted longitudinally fora; portion of. its length and for effecting ,thi'sresultrthere is:

provideda rubber roller 5| 'mounted on carriage 52 which is reciprocated on stationary track 54. tofmove the rubber roll back and forth along the sharp ridge i6 on the form. A suitable brush 53 which engages the periphery of the roll 5| serves to keep this roll clean. While the carriage 52 may be moved back and forth on the track 54 by any suitable reciprocating means," as herein shown, it is driven by areciprocating,

are turned back on themselves or ring-rolled,

as indicated in Figs. 15 and 15A, by brushes 59 and 60 which are continuously rotated in the direction of the arrows by any suitable means (not shown).

Following the ring-rolling operation, the shield-bearing forms while being rotated by means of the gears 44 thereon in engagement with the rack 45, advance into a curing oven 6| (Figs. 16 and 16A) which is maintained at a suitable temperature to cure the shields that have been deposited and manipulated according to the various operations, just described. On leaving the curing oven, the endless chains ad- Vance the forms I3 (not rotating at this time) with the cured shields thereon to a station designated 62 where an operator lifts theforms one at a time from their respective pairs of yokes (Fig. 17) and withdraws the axles i5 therefrom. The shield can now be stretched over one end of the form until this end can be withdrawn through the slit 8. Thereafter, it is possible to strip the remainder of the shield from the other end of the form, easily.

When the shield has been removed from the form, the axle I5 is replaced in the end of the form and the operator restores it to an empty pair of yokes 21 and 28 on the endless chains so that the form continues to advance to the washer 63. This washer includes two constantly rotating brushes 64 and 65 which engage respectively the upper and the lower surfaces of a form l3 (Figs. 18 and 18A). As herein shown the shaft 18 carrying the brush 64 is driven from any suitable source of power (not shown) and is provided with a gear 11 meshing with the gear 44 on the axle of the form to rotate it. A pulley 8| on the shaft of brush 65 is driven by a belt 80 from the pulley 19 in'shaft 18. It will be noted that the brush 65 rotates in a tray 61 of soapy water while'a spray of the soapy water is forced through suitable nozzles 68 along the whole surface of the form by means of a pump 69 connected in a pipe 16 leading from the tray to the nozzles. The form now advances over a fresh water tray 10 with which there are provided constantly rotating brushes II and I2 (actuated in a manner similar to that indicated in Fig. 18) to engage respectively the upper and lower sides of a form I 3 of which brush l2 dips into the. fresh water in thetray. lsimilarly apump 13 connected in a pipe .14 forces fresh water from the tray through the nozzles 15 against-the entire length of the form. I 4 1 After beinghsuitably washeda and rinsed the forms-are' advanced by the endless chains into the form-drying oven 36' from'which they'emerge' to repeat .the cycleof operations already described; v i It should be pointed out thatthe'end trim-I ming. or'partinglof the deposited layer: as illustrated injFigs. 12 and 12A, can" be effected-either deposited layer hasl-zbeen idried in; the "oven '58,: I

or this parting of the layer can be effected after the curing thereof and can be accomplished in the manner illustrated in Figs. 14' and l4A' o-r by shearing, die cutting and. other ways well knownin the art. g

It will be understood by skilled artisans that the rubber may be vulcanized in any suitable way either before or after depositing the same,

on a form to produce the shield.

The present disclosure is given merely by way of example, and not in a limitingsen'se, for there may be many modifications and variations there of within the scope of the appended claims with-' out departing from vention.

What I claim is:

the spirit of the. present in- 1. The method of making a shield fora sanitary pad or the like which comprises dipping a progressively moving form' into liquid rubber :or

the like to deposit a layer of the rubber thereon,

providing an opening in each end of the deposited layer, and forming an elongated opening in one side wall of saiddeposited layer during its pro.- gressive movement.

or the like, which comprises advancing a series of forms in an endless path, rotating each form while dipping into liquid rubber or the like to deposit a layer thereon, trimming the ends of the deposited layer on the form, parting a portion of the deposited layer lengthwise of the form,.dry- I ing the deposited layer, and removing the shields from the form.

4. The method of makinga sanitary pad shield or the like which comprises advancing a series of forms in an endless path, rotating each form on a horizontal axis while dipping into liquid rubber or the like to deposit a layer thereon, trimming the ends of the deposited layer. on the form while it is being rotated, parting a portion of the de-: posited layer lengthwise of the form drying the deposited layer on the form, and removing the shield from'the form.

5. The method of making a sanitary padshield or the like which comprises rotating a cylindrical form on a horizontal axis while dipping the periphery of the form into liquid rubber or the like to deposit a layer thereon, trimming the deposited layer while on the rotating form, slitting the layer on the form lengthwise thereof; advancing the form and its deposited layer through a I 40 2. The method of making a shield for a sani- 'tary' pad or the like which comprises rotating a form.

6. A form for making a dipped shield-fora sanitary pad or the like, which form has an. elongated portion rounded in. cross section and and. means at each end of the form whereby it may be supported with its major axis in a horizontal position.

7. The methodlof making a latexarticlewhich comprises providinga formof approximately the drying oven, and removing the shield from the desired outline of said article, depositinga layer of latex on said form, simultaneously accumulating spaced reinforcing masses of latex in said layer, and parting said layer from one of said first mentioned means cooperating in developing the separation of the layer between said reinforcements.

ABRAHAM N. SPANEL. 

